When you have a state that is as old and historic as South Dakota, you are guaranteed to find a paranormal thing or two. When it comes to a handful of our towns, however, there are some downright creepy legends that seem too credible to be mere folklore. Take, for instance, this tiny town in South Dakota that may seem innocent enough on the outside, but is actually plagued with a terribly creepy past.

You know Hill City for its iconic 1880 Train, close proximity to Mount Rushmore, and quirky Teddy Bear Museum, but did you know that it has a dark and often overlooked secret?

Google Street View

Established in 1876, Hill City was once at the heart of the Black Hills mining rush, which was sadly short-lived, but soon replaced by tourism and the profitable timber industry.

Flickr/bl0ndeeo2 Pictured is the old Ingersoll Mine, which turned out tin, tantalum, and niobium.

Even before the mining rush (or even Lewis and Clark’s great expedition), Hill City was a popular place to live, with evidence of human life dating all the way back to 7000 BC and then again in 1500 AD, when the Arikara, Pawnee, Kiowa, Cheyenne (pictured), and Crow first arrived in the area.

Wikimedia Commons

In terms of history and appearance, Hill City may appear to be somewhat normal, so just what makes it so darn creepy? While there is no way to pinpoint exactly when the paranormal occurrences began, there are plenty of stories to go around about Hill City haunts, including the Harley Davidson building…

Google/G Skalka The old Harley Davidson building has worn many hats, including restaurant, and funeral home and crematory, so it should come as no surprise that it is the alleged home of spirits who like to make a lot of noise and move items around while the living (namely employees) look on.

…1880 Train…

Google/Paul Biwer The next time you ride the 1880 Train, keep your eyes peeled for a ghostly man in a brown suit near the back of the car.

…and Alpine Inn.

Google/SERF The Alpine Inn is one of the most charming hotels in South Dakota, so don’t let the sounds of ghostly footsteps and the flicker of lights deter you from staying!

Have you experienced anything strange in Hill City? Do you think its history has anything to do with the alleged haunts? Let us know in the comments!

Google/Mark V Address: Hill City, SD 57745

For even more SoDak haunts, click on Driving Down This Haunted South Dakota Road May Give You Nightmares.

Google Street View

Flickr/bl0ndeeo2

Pictured is the old Ingersoll Mine, which turned out tin, tantalum, and niobium.

Wikimedia Commons

Google/G Skalka

The old Harley Davidson building has worn many hats, including restaurant, and funeral home and crematory, so it should come as no surprise that it is the alleged home of spirits who like to make a lot of noise and move items around while the living (namely employees) look on.

Google/Paul Biwer

The next time you ride the 1880 Train, keep your eyes peeled for a ghostly man in a brown suit near the back of the car.

Google/SERF

The Alpine Inn is one of the most charming hotels in South Dakota, so don’t let the sounds of ghostly footsteps and the flicker of lights deter you from staying!

Google/Mark V

Address: Hill City, SD 57745

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